Represents the percentage of contribution by employees to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	sem_DefinedContributionPlanContributionPerEmployeePercent
Namespace Prefix:	sem_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the vesting period of the employer's matching contributions to the defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sem_DefinedContributionPlanEmployersMatchingContributionVestingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	sem_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	sem_DefinedContributionPlansDisclosuresLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	sem_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 70

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum percentage of employee gross pay, by the terms of the plan, that the employer may contribute to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionPerEmployeePercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Retirement Savings Plan (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Retirement savings plan
Matching contribution by the employer (as a percent)	25.00%
Matching contribution of the employees (as a percent)	6.00%
Vesting period	3 years
Expense incurred	$ 8.2	$ 7.6	$ 6.0
Employees who are not classified as HCE's \| Maximum
Retirement savings plan
Contribution by employees (as a percent)	30.00%
HCE \| Maximum
Retirement savings plan
Contribution by employees (as a percent)	6.00%